Category: Humor

What It’s Like for a Stay-At-Home Father with Two Boys

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A Book Review

Fatherhood: Dispatches from the Early Years by Andrew B. Knott Photo by: Tremaine L. Loadholt

I first stumbled across the writing of Andrew B. Knott on Medium. His witty gift of gab and literal humor were luring effects. He had a gift of drawing you in slowly, building up the comedic punchline with a slow burn to a lasting fire. I appreciated the way he looped words that sounded like they belonged together in sentences. It was as if he were a word connoisseur, sharing his tastes with us, but in a way that Medium needed at that time.

I became even more enamored by his work when I began editing his submissions in P. S. I Love You, a defunct Medium publication that specialized in publishing work on relationships, love, and all things life & connection. Andrew stood out, and he still does.

Below is the review of Fatherhood: Dispatches from the Early Years, shared on Amazon and Goodreads:

I’m Not a Parent, But I’ve Seen Parents in Action

And this book is crafty in the way the events are presented in the author’s life. Every story, essay, and vignette has something to offer the parents of this world, especially new/newer/younger ones.

Even though I have not birthed any of my own children, I am significantly older than all my siblings, so most of the scenarios mentioned, I’ve experienced in some way with the little ones (now much older ones) in my life. I also have significantly younger cousins and nieces and nephews.

What I like most about Andrew’s approach to parenting (as it is humorously detailed throughout the book) is his nonchalant, “let it be” attitude with his children.

Naturally, some things will call for discipline, but most things do not… So why waste time and energy when children will more than likely not change their minds or agree with a parent’s choice in the very intense moments of a tantrum?

The author’s humor is one that builds up. There is a slow burn to it before the lasting fire. It’s witty and catches you off guard. It actually reminds me a lot of Steven Wright’s approach to comedy. Either you get it or you don’t, and I definitely get it.

There were a few stories that droned on or took a while to get to a plot twist or heightened point of comedic satisfaction, but those are few and far between.

Overall, I’m glad I took the time to read parenting from a person’s perspective who took “learning as you go” to a whole other level.

It’s a great read!

I shared this review with Andrew by way of communicating with him on Substack. I have another book of his on my shelf, waiting for its turn, and I am truly looking forward to it as well.

If you’re looking for a good laugh about parenting and the many obstacles you have to endure to feel like you’re at least a C+ parent, I recommend Fatherhood: Dispatches from the Early Years.

Scattered Words: Hardcover $26.00 USD|Scattered Words: eBook $11.00 USD|Scattered Words: Amazon

Life In Photos #10

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Daily photographic musings

Snow day dinner #1. Monday, January 26, 2026. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Snow day dinner #2. Monday, January 26, 2026. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
View from the 5th floor on a snow day. Sunday, February 01, 2026. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Snow and Solo. Monday, February 02, 2026. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Snow Mound#1. Tuesday, February 03, 2026. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Snow Mound #2. Wednesday, February 04, 2026. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
A late-night, early morning dusting #1. Thursday, February 05, 2026. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
A late-night, early morning dusting #2. Thursday, February 05, 2026. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
I have new co-workers #1. Thursday, February 05, 2026. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
I have new co-workers #2. Thursday, February 05, 2026. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
I have new co-workers #3. Thursday, February 05, 2026. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

Scattered Words: Poems for Jernee Timid Loadholt is available now! Have you gotten your copy? Hardcover|eBook

Ali Siddiq and His Method of Comedy

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A storyteller trapped in a comedian’s body

Ali Siddiq vs the Younger Generation at the Gym

I had to find something “clean” to share with everyone because most of his standup is R A U N C H Y and full of cuss words, but I am here for this. Think Dave Chappelle and Richard Pryor had a love-child. It would be Ali Siddiq. The backstory for him is to be respected. He has been through so much, and I am happy to see him take his pain, form it into a method of therapy he can share with others, and become successful.

If you want to see some more of his hilarious delivery, go here.

Have you gotten your copy of Séduire: Serial Tales & Flash Fiction at Lulu in E-Book & Paperback versions, or Amazon in Paperback (only) yet?

I am on Substack as well. Poking the Bear’s Belly for Fun is a place of healing, as I discuss recent events related to my previous place of employment, including racism and discrimination, the growth I experienced after resigning from that company, and the foibles and overall experiences of life. I welcome your visit.

Helen, Lucy, and Quack

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Flash Fiction: A Wayne Donald and Kinley Chris Adventure

The image above is by Erwin Bosman on Pexels. It depicts three chickens perched on a branch. The chickens appear to ascend in height from left to right; the leftmost chicken being mostly brown, the one at center being mostly white, and the rightmost being mostly black.

Wayne Donald stares outside their upstairs bedroom window. She is scratching the curly, messy knot of hair on her head while she huffs and breathes outwardly in exasperation.

“You gon’ tell Charlie ’bout them chickens of theirs cluckin’ about in the yard again, Kinley Chris, or do I have to put on my knickers and go on over there and do it myself?”

Wayne Donald is in rare form this morning. It is a raging hot Sunday in the depths of the South, and wandering chickens are the last things she wants to deal with the day before going back to school. The girls had been out for Christmas break, enjoying every moment of freedom their grandmother would allow, and now… the countdown to back-to-school has begun.

“Who out there?! Which ones? Some, I don’t mind. I put some chicken feed out near the fence yesterday morning—might be sopping that up.”

“Looks like Helen, Lucy, and Quack.” She squints her eyes to look closer outside of their upstairs bedroom window—zooming in with imaginary binoculars. “Yeah… that’s definitely Helen, Lucy, and Quack.”

Kinley Chris looks up from an adventurous book she had been reading, keenly stares at her younger sister, and nods in approval.

“Long as it’s not those other demon birds, I say, let them be. Charlie Rhett and ‘nem are at church anyway at this hour. It ain’t no need bangin’ on their door about some harmless chickens just cuz you don’t like the way they cluck.”

“They irritate me, Kinley Chris, and I just can’t take it. Why you gotta put that chicken feed out on Sunday mornings when I wanna sleep in?”

“Who are you to tell me where and when to put chicken feed, Wayne Donald? It’s late morning, and you shoulda been up about an hour ago anyway. Don’t get on my bad side before noon.”

Wayne Donald shuffles off to her bed, plops her flimsy body back down, tucks her face underneath the sheets, and fake-sobs. Through the sheets, she continues her argument with her big sister.

“I’m just sayin’… they cluck and squawk and make so much noise while they’re eatin’, Kinley Chris. How can you even read with all that racket walkin’ in through the window?”

“You were just up, Wayne Donald. You could’ve closed the window, silly. They aren’t that loud, and it’s too early to be complainin’. Get yourself a few more winks in, and I’ll go downstairs in a bit and fetch us some breakfast. If Helen, Lucy, or Quack laid some eggs, we’ll have us a mighty fine batch of eatin’.”

To this, Wayne Donald does not debate. She turns over, snuggles up into a ball, and closes her eyes. “Fifteen more minutes,” she says. “Fifteen more minutes.”

Part I, Part II, Part III, and Part IV.

This piece is my offering for this week’s Melissa’s Fandango Flash Fiction Challenge, #353. I love it when these two sisters start speaking to me. When I saw the prompt roll out this past Monday, and those chickens staring back at me, I said, “Ha! Wayne Donald and Kinley Chris,” so here we are. Thank you so much for reading.

Have you gotten your copy of Séduire: Serial Tales & Flash Fiction at Lulu in E-Book & Paperback versions, or Amazon in Paperback (only) yet?

I am on Substack as well. Poking the Bear’s Belly for Fun is a place of healing, as I discuss recent events related to my previous place of employment, including racism and discrimination, the growth I experienced after resigning from that company, and the foibles and overall experiences of life. I welcome your visit.

A Little Christmas Funny…

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This will never EVER get old to me!

The Grinch and the Screaming Goat Scene

My best friend and I went to see The Grinch in theaters in 2018. This particular scene made me guffaw loudly in the theater, and I just couldn’t stop laughing. My tickle-box had been activated, and I laughed for at least fifteen minutes.

Mook (my best friend) looked at me with red in her eyes at first, but after hearing me laugh for so long, she started laughing, too. She finally said to me, “You so damn silly”, and we laughed some more.

To this day, I cannot watch this scene without laughing until I cry.

It’s the screaming goat for me every single time! 😆🤣😂

I hope this holiday allows you to reach into your heart and let your inner child be free. Today is a GREAT day to do so.

Bonus funny clip:

Sing 2: Meena Falls in love with Alfonso

Have you gotten your copy of Séduire: Serial Tales & Flash Fiction at Lulu in E-Book & Paperback versions, or Amazon in Paperback (only) yet?

I am on Substack as well. Poking the Bear’s Belly for Fun is a place of healing, as I discuss recent events related to my previous place of employment, including racism and discrimination, the growth I experienced after resigning from that company, and the foibles and overall experiences of life. I welcome your visit.

Titillating Literary Culinary Offerings

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A Book Review

Milkshakes & Chilidogs by Bartholomew Barker. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

You will never have to twist my arm or convince me to purchase a book of poems by Bartholomew Barker. If he’s writing them, I’m buying it. Some people master structure, line breaks, wordplay, and intensity all in one go with their poetry, and Bart is one of those people.

I assure you, reading about dinner, drinks, and dessert will never be the same. You’ll find yourself thinking you can actually undress a glass of wine, see full and supple breasts in a bunch of tomatoes, and hear heaven’s angels sing while you’re baking a fresh batch of homemade chocolate chip cookies.

It was a pleasure to read and review this chapbook, which I did on both Amazon and Goodreads.

Serve Me a Symphony of Purple in a Glass

I knew that I would not be disappointed as soon as I opened “Milkshakes and Chilidogs”, and began reading. Barker has a way of working language, playing with phrases and rhythm, so that his poetry not only sticks with you, it is pleasing to the ear when read aloud.

His line breaks are intentional and powerful. Every stanza is a welcome wave of sighs of relief for a reader and writer of poetry.

There are so many quotable phrases throughout this chapbook such as:

“I keep time with an hourglass
because I prefer the shape.”

“Sunday morning pancakes
start out pale like her skin
in early spring.”

“Tomatoes
Firm as your breasts
Red as your lips
On a night out
Drenched in Merlot.”

And this doesn’t even begin to scrape the surface of his brilliant use of form and structure. I loved everything about this offering except for the fact that it’s not long enough.

I would have loved to see a formal book of poetry regarding dinner, drinks, and dessert, especially if they’re going to be written by Bartholomew Barker.

Currently, at just $1.99 for Kindle and $5.45 for paperback, Milkshakes & Chilidogs is far beyond affordable and worth so much more. If you’re looking for a stocking stuffer for a few of your wordsmith-like friends, this chapbook would make the perfect gift!

Have you gotten your copy of Séduire: Serial Tales & Flash Fiction at Lulu in E-Book & Paperback versions, or Amazon in Paperback (only) yet?

I am on Substack as well. Poking the Bear’s Belly for Fun is a place of healing, as I discuss recent events related to my previous place of employment, including racism and discrimination, the growth I experienced after resigning from that company, and the foibles and overall experiences of life. I welcome your visit.